Anwaar
Administrator
Speak the truth and keep on coming.
Posts: 463
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Post by Anwaar on Feb 9, 2007 15:51:08 GMT 4
The Fall of the Roaming Empire by Anwaar Hussain The American imperial behemoth finally lies panting at the sandaled feet of its nemesis, the ragtag resistance fighters, in the sands of Iraq and Afghanistan. Desperate attempts are on by the deniers to infuse new life into the flagging leviathan but alas, it is dying as sure a death as that of its masters’ dream. Albeit hideously so, even its death is promising to be spectacular. For the event will scatter far and wide, bits and pieces of the myth of American supremacy and the delusion of an empire. Nothing can be sadder than the fact that a country that welcomed to its bosom victims of the abuse of other powers for centuries, finally became the greatest abuser of power itself. And in so doing, wrote its own epitaph. The reason, as frequently is the case in the fall of empires, will be imperial overreach--that fatal roaming bug that spelled the end of most empires. From Philippines to Vietnam to South America to Afghanistan to Iraq and now to Iran…American Empire’s inevitable journey toward its grand finale suggests that it indeed has been administered the concluding dose by the colonial roaming bug. Why it is happening is that America, drunk with its military power, stayed glued to its strategy of dominance while the world quietly passed her by. In her inebriated state, she failed to notice her rapid isolation and falling out of favor with most of the rest of the world and that, sooner or later, this universal dislike for Pax Americana was bound to result in an almost universal backlash. It is happening because in far flung corners of the world, it tried to roughly shove down its targets’ parched throats its economic, political, and cultural packages with an un-oiled military ramrod, resulting in a natural throwing up by the subjects of this force-fed diet. It is happening because America, riding bareback on the 'God is on our side' moral conviction, took on certain peoples who consider themselves as ‘God’s most chosen people’ with a certainty that blowing up themselves and others for their belief was a child’s play for them. The obvious result being that dialogue for problem solving became the first casualty in this clash of divinities. In the ensuing vicious game, the other side naturally became evil and crushing and exterminating in the name of God became the name of the game. It is happening because America forgot that many other empires have had their day in the sun as superpowers before which others trembled. But today their crumbling ruins stand witnesses in mute silence to the fact that none were sovereign over the kingdoms of men for infinite times. All came to sad, inglorious ends. It is happening because America failed to pay attention to the fact that Britain, its former colonial master and demonstrably the greatest empire the world has ever seen and where the sun never set, stands so withered today that now it hardly ever sees a sunrise. Within a generation it was history. It is happening because America failed to notice that due to its arrogant display of ruthless power, some truly bizarre alliances have emerged in response in recent years. Fundamentalist Muslim countries like Iran are teaming up with godless atheist communist nations like China and Stalinist North Korea to trade oil, nuclear know-how, and deadly missile systems. And with Iran and North Korea rushing to produce nuclear arms, Russia and China refuse to whole heartedly support any meaningful UN action to prevent it. It is happening because in doggedly threatening Iran, America absolutely refuses to see that most empires decay because in the end not only does the physical infrastructure become inadequate to sustain the frontiers, there is inevitably a loss of interest or will to sustain it due to hostile actions by neighbors. Like termites they continue to nibble away at the far edges. It is happening because despite having a Judeo-Christian leadership at the helm of its command, it takes no heed of the warning contained in The Old Testament’s exclamation of, "How are the mighty fallen!" That remains one of the earliest recorded responses to the spinning wheel of fortune. The spectacle of faded civilizations gives one a simultaneous sense of foreboding and nostalgia along with other practical considerations. The sense of history one gains from visiting a museum is staggering. For therein lie artifacts and remains from the great empires of history that marched across the sands of time—Egypt, Israel, Judah, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. Objects from the reigns of ancient monarchs like Hezekiah, Sennacherib, Shalmaneser, Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander the Great, and Herod almost leap to life from the glassed cabinets in dimly lit corridors of these museums. As the Roaming American Empire does finally fall, however, all that its king, George W. Bush, is likely to add to that collection is a pair each of Levis jeans, cowboy boots, and a Stetson hat. The irony is that, just like Shelley, at some point in future, a poet is likely to stumble upon the irresistible antiquity of America’s gloom and doom in the rubble of old realms and like him again conceive an ironic and admonitory epitaph : "My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:/ Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" The epitaph of the American Empire, though, has long been written by one George Sutherland, that eminent US jurist and appointee to the US Supreme court before the Second World War. It reads, “The saddest epitaph which can be carved in memory of a vanished freedom is that it was lost because its possessors failed to stretch forth a saving hand while there was still time.”Copyrights : Anwaar Hussain
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Post by georgebarnard1 on Feb 9, 2007 16:45:09 GMT 4
He refuses to go. He will not.
He wants to be remembered in history for how great he was.
He wants to be part of what (unjustly) brought Iran to its knees.
He is Blair.
GMB
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Post by ljdumble on Feb 9, 2007 20:16:04 GMT 4
Nice one Anwaar! I'll shortly circulate to GSN.
On the subject of the White House's current fascists , John Pilger was in Melbourne last evening, and [rightly or wrongly] I gained the impression that he held Dick Cheney in even greater contempt than Bush Jnr.
In solidarity, Lynette
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Post by Virgil on Feb 9, 2007 21:54:25 GMT 4
Another excellent piece, Anwaar.
Thanks.
Regards,
Virgil
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Post by A friend on Feb 9, 2007 21:56:40 GMT 4
Accurate. On the money. What we deserve here in the USA.
Anwaar, I am sorry for the terrible cost to your people, the ancient places of your origin.
A friend
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Post by theoliveream on Feb 10, 2007 0:59:35 GMT 4
Your articles never cease to amaze me Anwaar. This piece is impeccable and the quote in the end is so apt, it is like an icing on a very delicious cake.
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Post by Carl on Feb 10, 2007 4:23:49 GMT 4
How true! America has international indigestion. What is happening did not have to happen. We only had a defense for one people and we could never see that nor could they see the dangers to themselves. Carl
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DT1
Moderator
You know, it's not like I wanted to be right about all of this...
Posts: 428
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Post by DT1 on Feb 10, 2007 10:48:33 GMT 4
An excellent set of observations,Anwaar. I fear my countrymen can't see the forest for all the trees.Perhaps they should get thier fat asses off the couch,turn off the fux news, and take a walk outside once in a while... Get some fresh air,yaknowwhatImean? Our alleged Vice-President tells us that the United States Congress "won't stop us"... What else do we need? Impeach(all of them). Indict(all of them). Convict(all of them). Send their war-proffiteering asses to Camp X-ray. What other choice do we have? If Justice is not served upon these pampered,delusional scumbags,then the Rule of Law is null and void... To horriffic result. Memo to Congress- 80% of the American People are getting tired of waiting... Put it back on the table.
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Post by Jon on Feb 10, 2007 12:18:45 GMT 4
I don't think it's quite over yet, these monsters still have the ability to bring about universal annihilation, something I believe they intend to do! As with Hitler, Bush/Cheney are blaming the US People to be the reason that their plans failed, we weren't worthy of their great leadership, and like Hitler they want total destruction, unlike Hitler, they have the ability to make it happen!
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Anwaar
Administrator
Speak the truth and keep on coming.
Posts: 463
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Post by Anwaar on Feb 10, 2007 15:40:35 GMT 4
Putin Blasts U.S. for Its Use of ForceSaturday February 10, 2007, by DAVID RISING, Associated Press WriterMUNICH, Germany (AP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin blasted the United States Saturday for the ``almost uncontained'' use of force in the world, and for encouraging other countries to acquire nuclear weapons. Putin told a security forum that ``we are witnessing an almost uncontained hyper use of force in international relations'' and that ``one state, the United States, has overstepped its national borders in every way.``This is very dangerous, nobody feels secure anymore because nobody can hide behind international law,'' Putin told the gathering.Putin did not elaborate on specifics and did not mention the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan. But he dismissed suggestions that the European Union and NATO had the right to intervene in crisis regions. ``The legitimate use of force can only done by the United Nations, it cannot be replaced by EU or NATO,'' he said. Read the rest here : tinyurl.com/23y6tv
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Post by workingforpeace on Feb 14, 2007 3:22:17 GMT 4
Beautifully written, compelling article Anwaar! I posted an excerpt with links to here on my website: verbena19.wordpress.com
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Anwaar
Administrator
Speak the truth and keep on coming.
Posts: 463
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Post by Anwaar on Feb 16, 2007 13:38:07 GMT 4
Turn Up Your Speakers and Cry Is It For Freedom? Rulers of the nations as you fuss and fight Over who owns this or that and who has the right To design, build, sell and store and fire All the bombs and guns to defend your holy empire
There are children hungry, children sick and dying There are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers crying They’re only pawns in your play of power and corruption Slowly starve them, your new weapon of mass destruction
And prove to me, America, that you care And prove to me, America, you’re aware Who’s dying for your freedom in this land Who pays the cost for the liberties you demand
Is it for freedom, or our comfort and convenience Is it to profit for big business we pledge our allegiance Are we prisoners in the land of the brave and the bold? Held by indifference or hearts grown hard and cold (refrain)
Children of the world, you have the right To sing and dance, run and play, let your dreams take flight As the innocent die you rulers carry the shame And if we stand idly by we share in the blame
And oh, America, do we care Oh, America, are we aware Who’s dying for our comfort in this land Who pays the cost for the convenience we demand?
Children of the world, you have the right To sing and dance, run and play, let your dreams take flight
© 1999 Sara Thomsen
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Post by a300guy on Feb 18, 2007 21:40:14 GMT 4
Hello Anwaar! I just signed up for the forum. I am a friend of Hadi Rizvi, one of your Air Force instructors, and he regularily directs me to your writings.
May I suggest you read "CROSSING THE RUBICON: The Decline of the American Empire at the End of the Age of Oil" - by Michael C. Ruppert. Perhaps you have already read this book. It is an excellent attempt to paint the "Big Picture" and bring many issues together into one comprehensive package. I believe that Michael Ruppert in now in hiding in Venezula as he feels his life is in danger.
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Anwaar
Administrator
Speak the truth and keep on coming.
Posts: 463
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Post by Anwaar on Feb 18, 2007 21:50:14 GMT 4
Welcome to the forum, sir. My pleasure.
I hold my instructor in the same esteem as I once did. You can't be very different if you are his friend.
I have indeed read excerpts from the referred book and the author has every reason to be in hiding. Some of us remaining may be doing the same in a very near future if nothing is done about the situation.
Enjoy the forum, sir, and do allow us to avail of your wisdom.
Anwaar
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Anwaar
Administrator
Speak the truth and keep on coming.
Posts: 463
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Post by Anwaar on Feb 28, 2007 17:29:15 GMT 4
I’m American….Shhh!! Don’t tell!Analyzing the pandemic of global American HatredBy Jessica Long02/27/07 "ICH" -- -- Alright, alright!! The secret is out….. I am, regrettably, not Canadian. In fact, I am an American from a small city called Olympia, WA about three hours south of the Canadian border. But shhh…. Don’t tell! Perhaps if you knew the grief these three hours distance have caused me the last six years you wouldn’t judge me so harshly for this little white lie. I represent the 7% of Americans that travel abroad each year. Ordinarily, I would be proud to belong to this statistic. Yet having done the majority of my globetrotting during the Bush Administration years, I find my nationality to be the biggest cause of stress in my travels. I have learned that being an American is something you can no longer be proud of- well, at least if you have any knowledge of global affairs. In fact I am ashamed of my nationality. But wait a second here…. before I am accosted by the headstrong patriot with ten “United we stand” bumper stickers adorning his SUV, let me say this: I understand the value of pride in opportunity, equality and justice- but NOT in nationalism for the sake of nationalism! And that is what is at stake here: American insular ideology. Traveling abroad has allowed me a new perspective on this skewed American self-image. I am grateful for my opportunities, my freedom, and my standard of living- but I am ashamed of my government’s corruption, my people’s ignorance and my nation’s neo-colonial egotism. But you needn’t be a hardcore lefty to agree with me. All you need is to go abroad to be reminded of the global hatred toward our nation. Not only is it not safe to be an American abroad, it is not tolerated! The majority of Americans I meet while traveling admit to the same lie as I do: “I am, uh… Canadian.” We deny our nationality to avoid the scowls, jeers, lectures, and sometimes violence from other foreigners. In the last six years, I have traveled to Africa twice, backpacked Southeast Asia and Central America and lived a brief time in Europe for a total of 12 different countries. Above all, one thing has been made very clear to me: The world hates us. And if the whole world hates our country, don’t you suppose we ought to figure out why? According to radio talk show host and best-selling author Michael Medved, global American hatred stems from “their” jealousy, “their” anti-capitalist agendas and “their” contempt for our “toxic pop culture.” Okay, that explains the sentiments of Islamic extremists, French idealists and Latin American Marxists- but what of the rest of the world? Medved admits that “American hatred has reached pandemic proportions” extending to the “corners of the globe.” Can jealousy and communism really be that contagious? Not when you look at western Europe, whose standards of living are fueled by their capitalist endeavors…..so why? A survey performed by the Pew Research Center and cited in The Economist challenges Medved’s perceived reasons for American hatred. The study found that The Netherlands, Spain, China and Germany were the top four nations who viewed America unfavorably. With the exception of China, these anti-American countries are NOT economically struggling, culturally conservative or lenient toward Communism. So can we truly blame envy, Marxism and pop culture? The standard of living in The Netherlands, Spain and Germany are of the highest in Europe. They are also considered culturally liberal in their perception of foreign “pop culture” and are not known for their anti-capitalist motives. In Britain and Canada, a little under half of the population views American unfavorably. This is alarmingly high given these are two of our largest allies. The study did find that India and Poland liked us though! Oh….but wait! This can be explained. From 1947-91, India went through a period of Socialism and Economic isolation fueled by anti-capitalist and anti-American thinking. An article in The Futurist suggests that it was the failures of the Indian economy, coupled with the fact that Indian-Americans are the wealthiest ethnic demographic in the U.S., that lead them to turn against socialist endeavors and embrace American ideals. Similarly, Poland and Russia, who also favor America, do so because of their lack of faith in the communist system which fell in 1991. Given the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union, we know why some like us. But not why the rest hate us. Why the hate? Believe it or not, we can’t entirely blame the Bush administration for this one either. Rather, we must blame the insular ideology that isolates the American citizen from the rest of the world: Americans don’t travel. American’s don’t know. And still worse, Americans don’t care. We claim to run the world, while statistics show that we know very little, if anything, about it. According to the European Travel Commission, only 18% of Americans own passports. This does not take into account the number of newly naturalized citizens either. When we compare this statistic to 41% of Canadian citizens who own passports, the U.S. appears much more culturally secluded than our northern brothers. Furthermore, three times the number of Australians own passports than Americans. Thus we cannot blame our lack of travel and global interest on our geographic size or location. We do not travel because our insular ideology implies there is no need. It is a deeply rooted American creed that “we are the best country in the world” and “innately right,” if not “saviors,” in all global action. Based on this mentality, there is little need or interest to learn about other countries. In 2006, a survey commissioned by National Geographic found that 85% of young Americans (ages 18-24) could not locate Iraq or Israel on a map. 90% could not locate Afghanistan. 75% of Americans cannot locate Thailand on a map, even after the highly publicized tsunami of 2004. In 2002, a different geographic survey was given out to the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Sweden, and Great Britain. American citizens performed the worst with the exception of Mexico who scored only slightly lower. This is not just a reflection of our education system- it is a reflection of our ideology. How so? Because only 30% of Americans think it is important to know the location of countries in the news. What do these statistics say to the rest of the world? Simply, that while Americans have no problem in attempting to run the world, we have little experience in how it works. It is on this ignorance that we justify our wars, trade relations and political action in a rapidly globalizing world. Aside from being fat and loud, the dangers of the American stereotype lie in the fact we are viewed as being simultaneously globally ignorant and culturally egocentric. This is our downfall. Douglas Richardson, executive director of the Association of American Geographers in Washington, D.C. agrees that geographic knowledge is crucial for functioning in a rapidly globalizing world. Remember the fall of Rome? I am not suggesting a similar fate but merely suggesting that Americans should be aware of their insular ideology as we stand pitted against the peoples of the world in a global showdown. We must partake in the global arena as knowledgeable, cultured and open-minded individuals if we are to preserve any form of international decency we may have left. If not, be prepared to raise an apologetic, timid generation who looks down in same every time they say, “I am an American.” Jessica Long graduated Western Washington University with a degree in Political Science. When she's not travelling the world, she makes her home in Washington State.
Source : www.informationclearinghouse.info/article17198.htm
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